In the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, the Hohneck reaches its peak at 1,362 metres. This natural site offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Vosges, its mountains, its hautes chaumes (alpine pastures) and its lakes. At the peak, a viewpoint indicator points to the surrounding places of interest.

Lake Gérardmer is the biggest natural lake in the Vosges. This glacial lake is located 660 metres above sea level in the municipality of Gérardmer, close to the town centre. In the winter, when it freezes, the lake can be seen from the slopes of the ski resort, a superb spectacle!

In warmer weather, its 115 hectares are used for water sports: you can go canoeing, sailing, rowing, pedaloing, fishing, or swimming at its landscaped beaches… People also come to watch speed kayaking and rowing competitions. You can also hire an electric motorboat to enjoy the superb landscapes all around.

There is a landscaped path of 7 kilometres that will take you around the lake in 1.5 or 2 hours. As one section of the trail is a little steep, walkers are advised to bring sturdy footwear.

Nearby: a swimming pool, bowling alley and casino.

Created in 1989, the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park covers the three former regions of Alsace, Franche-Comté and Lorraine, and more precisely, the four departments that are Haut-Rhin, Haute-Saône, Vosges and the Territory of Belfort. Its area of 3,000 km² makes it one of France's biggest Nature Parks. It contains 14 peaks, including the highest, the Grand Ballon d'Alsace, at 1,424 metres in altitude.

This magnificent protected territory offers some beautiful natural and cultural heritage. On the nature side of things, there is a series of mountain landscapes, ballons (rounded mountain peaks) and high-altitude pastures. There are two treasures: the big ridge that forms the Upper Vosges, with its woodland-covered slopes, and the Mille Étangs plateau in Franche-Comté. High stubble fields, peat bogs, lakes and rivers, and oak, beech and pine forests make up most of these natural landscapes. The fauna and flora are abundant, and typical of the massif: lynx, peregrine falcons, deer, chamois, grey wolves (back since 2011), cranberries, mountain pansies, fringed pinks, sundews... and medicinal plants like arnica.

The Vosges Mountains have been shaped by human activity: water, wood and stone have enabled industry and craft to develop, as evidenced by the many sawmills, granite quarries, textile factories and sandstone tiles that cover the roofs.

When it comes to culture, the Park has 350 "Historic Monument" sites, 2 "Land of Art and History" territories, a dozen remarkable villages and some themed routes: the Ridges Route, Alsace Wine Route, Cheese Route, Thousand Ponds Route, etc.

Lovers of memorial tourism will also be satisfied by the many World War-related sites.

Two thermal resorts await spa fans: Plombières-les-Bains in Vosges, and Luxeuil-les-Bains in Haute-Saône.

The beautiful landscapes of the Ballons des Vosges Nature Park can be explored on foot along the many marked paths, by bike, on horseback, but also on snowshoes or by cross-country skiing in winter… Some superb spots await nature-lovers wishing to enjoy the lush countryside: lakes for water sports, thirty or so natural sites with climbing facilities, via ferrata, fishing or hang-gliding sites, etc.

The Park House in Munster has a permanent exhibition and provides visitors with all the information they need to explore the Park.

This peaceful valley of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park is surrounded by hills and mountains. What a beautiful place! The River Fecht flows here.

This famous road of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park dominates mountains, alpine pastures (hautes chaumes), lakes, round-topped mountains (ballons) and forests. What a magnificent view! It is possible to sample typical dishes in the numerous farmhouse inns lining the "Crest Road", such as the famous, hearty marcaire meal of rustic mountain food. This meal traditionally consists of several courses: a meat pie, then smoked pork with potatoes, then Munster cheese and lastly a fruit tart.

This village is an essential place to visit while in the vineyards of Alsace for its superb architectural heritage: narrow paved streets, old timber-framed houses, Rhenish Renaissance town hall, ruin of a 13th-century castle overlooking the village and a 16th-century fortified bridge offering a beautiful view of the river.

The Christmas market in Kaysersberg is well-known for its authentic character.

Capital of the Alsace wines, Colmar has preserved its rich architectural heritage, as well as its picturesque character. The Unterlinden museum, dedicated to Rhenish art, is an essential place to visit in the town. Showing collections of medieval and Renaissance paintings and sculptures, this former Dominican convent also has the famous Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald on display.

The old districts, with their old half-timbered houses and facades decorated with old forged iron shop signs, are a real delight. One of the most popular places in Colmar is the Petite Venise district (Little Venice), that is very romantic. The beautiful half-timbered houses and colourful walls on the Poissonnerie quayside and the small flower-covered bridges spanning the Lauch river add to the charm of the place. A boat tour on the canal is also a lovely way to discover the pretty banks of the Petite Venise.

The Tanneurs (Tanners) district is very picturesque, with its tall houses and attics formerly used for drying skins. The Marchands (Traders) street is known for its beautiful residences and especially for the Pfister's house dating from 1537, decorated with an corner oriel window and a wooden gallery. It is in this street that is located Auguste Bartholdi's birth house, who is the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty in New York. This ancient residence is today home to a museum exhibiting the work of the artist.

The visit of the old town continues with the Saint-Martin collegiate church, an ancient cathedral of the 13th and 14th century; the Dominicans church of Rhenish Gothic style; the arcades house ("maison des Arcades") and the former customs ("Ancienne Douane"), Koïfhus, with its pretty, busy square featuring a fountain.

The wine fair in Colmar takes place in August and is a must. This festival features tastings, gastronomy, exhibitions and animations. The atmosphere is great! Colmar's International festival in July is a major classical music event. In winter, during the Christmas break, the old town of Colmar is very pretty with its illuminations, its decorations, and its friendly Christmas markets.

Surrounded by vineyards, this fortified town is a jewel. The village of Riquewihr is full of with beautiful colourful half-timbered residences and facades decorated with old shop signs. Some houses are decorated with pretty oriel windows. Omnipresent flowers and creepers add to the charm of the village.